Gary Neville has slammed four Manchester United attackers for not being “of the quality required” and names four recent departures who “would do a lot better”.
Ruben Amorim’s side has been lacklustre in front of goal this season, putting them on track for their worst-ever Premier League finish, leading to the forwards facing public scrutiny.
Striking options Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to impress with the duo only scoring 14 goals between them in all competitions.
Amorim has also been creative when looking for goals having experimented with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo up front despite neither being centre forwards.
Gary Neville criticises United’s attacking transfers
The latest criticism has come from former United captain Gary Neville appearing on Sky Sports where he slated the forwards at Old Trafford ahead of the 0-0 draw against Manchester City.
“The players up front are just not of the quality required at the club. That sounds really harsh but it’s the truth,” Neville stated.
“It’s going to need smart recruitment, that means getting players out for good prices and getting players in who are undervalued – which is what all teams are trying to do in the league!”
Reports about United’s current summer targets suggest that attacking options are clearly United’s main priority for the summer with them actively scouting Premier League forwards.
Neville also criticised some of the departures that United have allowed in recent years.
“You could field four players that are not at Manchester United anymore – Elanga, Rashford, Welbeck and McTominay behind them – they would do a lot better than the current players as a four up front,” he added.
All four of those players are academy graduates and have been experiencing success away from Old Trafford.
Former players flourishing away from Old Trafford
The former United players that Neville mentioned have all experienced success away from United this season
After departing in the summer of 2023, Anthony Elanga has found success at Nottingham Forrest and has managed 6 goals and 9 assists for Nuno Espírito Santos side this season.
Marcus Rashford is only out on loan after joining Aston Villa in January but has managed three goals and four assists in his 12 games for Villa.
A decade on from his departure from the club, Danny Welbeck has shone in a competitive Brighton attack. He has managed 13 goal involvements in 30 appearances for the Seagulls this season.
Following his journey over seas to Napoli in the summer Scott McTominay has continued to develop his attacking skillset and has been involved in 11 goals in 28 appearances.
When compared to the 14 goals Zirkzee and Hojlund have scored between them it is clear that United’s approach to the final third, both tactically and in the transfer market, needs to be revised.
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